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"Is this everything?" Mrs Benita Burberry asks as she walks into the flat.
"No, mum," Angel Burberry, her daughter replies placing the second to last suitcase on the floor before her mother, Mrs Benita Burberry. "There is still a few more in the car.
"So what are you waiting for?" Mrs Benita Burberry queries. "Go get them now."
"Dad said not to worry," Angel says trying to persuade her mother, who clearly appears tense from all the commotion and stress that comes with uprooting a family of three from one part of the United Kingdom to another, to calm down. "He said he will bring them up himself."
"That man though," Mrs Benita Burberry says with a dreamy smile that appears to Angel to have achieved exactly what she wanted, to make her tensed mother relax, she would capitalize on it from henceforth. "He never wants to admit that he is getting old."
Whilst they are yet discussing the issue, Mr. Terry Burberry, father and husband to Angel and Benita Burberry respectively, strolls in panting, as he lugs in the first suitcase. "Done."
Mrs Benita Burberry is surprised that he thinks it is only one suitcase that was left downstairs. "Errr. Honey, are you forgetting something?" Mrs Burberry reminds with a look of astonishment as she recounts the suitcase in their new sitting room but is interrupted by his response.
"On the contrary, baby," Mr. Terry Burberry says as he rises out of the chair he had dropped himself onto for a rest after bringing up the bag he just brought in. "I met this young chap who offered to help bring up the other bag. He should be here any minute now."
Angel and Benita keep their eyes fixed on the door, waiting to see the Good Samaritan who has offered the assistance so they can thank him.
"Wow, Dad", Angel Burberry says as she scurries over to the door as soon as Gabriel Rudolph walks through it, stupefying everyone with his charming look. "Hi, I am Angel. My family and I just moved in."
. "Oh," Gabriel Rudolph says, quickly dropping the bag on the shiny, mirrory tiled floor to extend a handshake to Angel who is sheepishly smiling from cheek-to-cheek "Nice to meet you. My name is Gabriel...Gabriel Rudolph...."
"...oh, very nice to meet you...," Angel interrupts with so much excitement coursing through her body.
"...the pleasure is mine," Gabriel Rudolph begins with a heartwarming smile. "What a coincidence? We just moved in yesterday as well."
"Interesting," Angel Burberry says. "Then it was indeed a step in the right direction."
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The Burberry parents look on with pride as their lovely daughter begins a friendship that, unknown to any of them, would later metamorphose into something stronger and lasting.
"It will indeed be a fun experience here," Mrs Burberry says with a smile that lights up her face.
"Hmm, how so?" Mr. Terry Burberry asks interestedly.
"Are you serious?" Mrs Benita Burberry asks. "Aren't you seeing what I am seeing?"
"Ermm," Mr. Terry Burberry begins dismissively. "Besides two people becoming friends, I'm afraid I don't see anything else."
Mr. Terry Burberry was a child trained by strict parents who believed that anything other than friendship was never expected of two people of the opposite sex until they were old enough to bare the consequences of their actions themselves and seeing that Angel still lives under his roof, she would be required to abide by the rules or leave the house according to him.
"C'mon, honey," Benita Burberry says as she follows behind him trying to persuade his cooperation. "You know you can't keep up this way. Your parents were strict and that is why I was the one who made the first move because you were so closed up and wound tight emotionally, you could not see the love I was blowing your way until I outrightly said the words 'I love you.'"
"You know if there is one thing I don't like about you," Mr. Terry Burberry begins. "It is the way you seem to undermine my intelligence at every given opportunity."
"C'mon, honey." Benita Burberry says trying to appeal to his softness. "You know I didn't mean it like that. It's just that if you think about it..."
"...Oh, so now you think I am stupid, right?" Mr. Terry Burberry asks with a tinge of disappointment in his voice. "I don't think before I talk or just jump into conclusions?"
"You know that is not what I mean," Benita Burberry says. "It's just that if you think about it, if we had let our parents decide for us who we could fall in love with, you know you and I would not be here together. You know we would not have the sort of happiness we have now...which of course you have almost ruined right now."
That said, Benita Burberry walks away from Mr. Terry Burberry angrily..Terry shakes his head from side to side three times smiling, suddenly realizing how much folly he has exhibited by his just concluded series of actions and without wasting any more time, follows after Benita Burberry pleading desperately to be pardoned while Angel and Gabriel watch with keen interest, waiting to see how the drama plays out.
"I can't believe you of all people would act this way, Terry," Benita yells as she makes her way back to the sitting room from the bedroom where Terry had followed her into earlier. "One would think, with all that we went through to get to this point, you would be more open minded to the idea of two hearts connecting and you would have let go of that closed-in lifestyle you were constricted to before you met me, but looking at what just played out right here, I feel I may have made a mistake by...."
"No," Mr. Terry Burberry says softly trying to quell the fire he had sparked. "Please don't complete that statement. I'm sorry, I give you my word, I will never act in such manner again. Please forgive me....The children can be friends, growing together and all, please. I support it if you are fine with it because let's be sincere, most of the best decisions I have taken were influenced by you so if you say they should be allowed to do this friendship thing, I am on board with you. Please don't think of us as a mistake."
"That's okay," Benita Burberry responds with a loving smile. "I forgive you. Come here." She pulls him in for a kiss and a passionate hug which lasts for a minute until an interruption comes from the direction of Angel and Gabriel
"Now, that's the kind of love I pray to have some day soon," Gabriel whispers with a very impressed smile , breaking the silence. "So pure and awesome. Thank you Mr. & Mrs Burberry. Once again, welcome to the city of Sussex."
Angel Burberry gives a smile at the admission because she dreams of same too, and looking at him standing beside her right now, there is no one else she dreams of having such a connection with when the time is right, other than him.
"Lady and Gentleman," says Benita Burberry as she walks up to them with a smile. "My husband and I have agreed to let you go ahead but please just as friends for now. Please no sex. Just friendship. Gabriel, I am trusting that you understand these clearly."
"Certainly ma'am," Gabriel assures. "I promise not to do anything to besmirch or jeopardize the trust you have just bestowed on me."
"Hello people," Angel Burberry waves playfully. "I'm also here y'know."
"Yes, we can see you my dear," comes Benita Burberry's reply to her daughter's attention-seeking gesticulations. "We just decided not to call your names together so that you do not begin to think of yourselves as a couple just yet, because your father...and I... your father especially.... don't think you should just jump into such just yet, you know."
"Indeed," Mr. Terry Burberry, who had been mutely observing the discussion while standing beside his wife, Benita Burberry, finally speaks up. "You know, take some time to be friends, you are twenty years old my dear Angel and you are...?"
"....Twenty four years old sir," Gabriel responds as soon as he notices Mr. Burberry's right hand move and then stop a considerable distance away from his face, but in front of it.
"....Great," Mr. Terry Burberry continues. "You both have time on your side. Start out as friends, get to know each other...of course I don't mean sexually, mind you. Y'know, on platonic level. Discover who he is and who she is, mentally and emotionally. Again not sexually just yet...."
".... Exactly," Benita Burberry cuts in. "Maybe take two or three years to do this. Your father and I did it in three years y'know..."
"....Again," Mr. Terry Burberry cuts in. "The "it" there is not sex but the studying of the other fellow's character in friendship to know if he or she was relationship-worthy y'know and possibly marriage-worthy when the time is right which you will both know if you do eventually get to that bridge together."
"Can't wait," Angel says with so much excitement in her voice.
"Hey," Mr. Terry Burberry says, attacking Angel's statement like an attacking midfielder in a very tough football match. "Slow your rolls."
Benita Burberry gently places her hands on Terry Burberry's shoulder, rolling her eyes as she cannot seem to understand the reason for the outburst. "I think what your father means to say is there is no need to rush. There is a whole lifetime to do all of these things you are so crazy about now, in the future. So just enjoy the trip towards it."
"Thanks mum," Angel Burberry says to Benita Burberry as she happily gives her a hug then excusing herself from the presence of her parents to start this new friendship between Gabriel and herself, intending to start with a stroll around the estate, exploring their new territory together. "I will not let you down."
"Speaking of letting us down," Benita Burberry queries, causing Gabriel and Angel to turn in a 180° movement in her direction . "You do know there is a lot of work to do here, right? Seeing that we just moved in and you know your father and I cannot possibly do all of it. We have done a whole lot of it in our lifetime and it is time for you to do yours."
"Okay, mum," Angel Burberry says to Benita Burberry. "Let me just see him off and I will return immediately to handle the things that needs to be done."
"Actually if it is okay, sir and ma'am," Gabriel says offering his assistance to the Burberrys. "I don't mind staying over for a while to assist with what needs to be done. At least, until it is certain that it is too late to be at your house as a visitor, in which case, I will leave to fight another day, of course, finish with assisting in the unpacking and arrangement I mean or everything has been completely arranged...."
"Oh no, we would not want to impose," Benita Burberry says politely
"No, it is no bother," Gabriel presses further as he goes for one of the bags. "Why are we neighbors if we cannot assist each other. It is only human. Where do you want this?"
"Angel," Benita Burberry beckons on Angel to direct him to where it should be kept. "Please show him to the room you have chosen for yourself so that he may place your bag there..."
"By the way, no funny business," Mr. Terry Burberry orders. "As I am sure you can hear, the acoustics in this house is very very wonderful so you can be sure if I, as much as, hear a funny sound while you are up there, I will come running like a cheetah."
"Trust me, sir," Gabriel assures as he walks towards the stairway with Angel coming behind him. "There will be nothing of such. I give you my word."
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Mr. Terry Burberry makes no reply to the assurance given him by Gabriel but simply nods his head in a rather contemptuous.fashion, following them with his eyes as the duo, Angel and Gabriel make their way up the stairs to place the luggage in the room Angel has picked for herself.
"You need to calm down, honey," Benita Burberry admonishes. "There is no need to be so uptight. I really do not know what you are afraid of."
"Really?" Mr. Terry Burberry says, staring at Benita Burberry, astonished by what he imagines to be a rather unexpected naïveté. "I know these type of guys. Thank goodness for my parents' strictness, who knows I'd have become one of them chasing after ladies for one thing alone, the cookie and afterwards disappearing and moving to the next one."
"C'mon, honey," Benita Burberry dismisses. "I don't know that young man to fit such a description. He looks to me like a perfect gentleman."
"Exactly," Mr. Terry Burberry says with a very judgemental look on his face as he matches towards the stairs and calls out. "Did the box fall on you guys?"
"No," Angel Burberry stutters. "No, Dad. We are coming"
"Baby," Benita Burberry says as she moves towards the base of the stairs where Mr. Terry Burberry is standing. "You're stressing too much about this. What could they possibly do while we are right here."
"Did you hear that?" Mr. Terry Burberry asks Benita Burberry, ignoring her pleas to calm down. "She said they are C-U-M-M-ing."
"Get your mind out of the gutter, dear," Benita Burberry admonishes. "Why must you think the worst things."
"But you take a second to think about it," Mr. Terry Burberry implores. "How long does it take to drop a box and come down?"
"Aren't they the ones coming down now," Benita Burberry says pointing up the stairs. "You have to give these two some credit. They probably were just tired from lugging those two bags upstairs and just needed to catch their breath."
"Indeed," Mr. Terry Burberry retorts. "I bet they were both lain on the bed together or worst still she was lain on the bed while Gabriel here, stared at her with fornicatory intent as he imagined if only"
Upon hearing this slanderous accusation against his person, Gabriel is so disappointed and embarrassed, he storms out of the home of the Burberry's back to his, instantly regretting that he offered to assist them in first place as Angel follows him trying to pacify him but fails.
"Dad," Angel Burberry calls out to her father, Mr. Terry Burberry as she returns into the house looking distraught, having failed to gain audience with Gabriel after her father's remark about him. "What was that for? That was totally uncalled for."
"What do you mean?" Mr. Terry Burberry asks rhetorically. "I know his type. They come first as innocent looking guys who you would think can not do any harm but what they are capable of is unthinkable. As a matter of fact, I forbid you from having unsupervised visits with that young man. Is that clear?"
Without giving a response to her father, Angel Burberry angrily marches up to her room sobbing.
"Don't you think you were too harsh?" Benita Burberry asks. "For God's sake, we just moved into the neighborhood and the first friend your daughter just made, you ran off like that. C'mon now."
"I don't know why you are not seeing things the way I am seeing it," Mr. Terry Burberry replies. "But in due time, I'm sure you both would come around to what I am talking about."
Giving no reply to the statement, Benita Burberry walks out on Mr. Terry Burberry and heads upstairs for Angel's room to cushion her clearly raging and fiery emotions brought on by the episode that caused Gabriel to storm out of the house in anger and disappointment. For the rest of the day, neither of the Burberry ladies come out of Angel Burberry's room leaving Terry Burberry, the man of the Burberry home to handle the distribution of the luggage to the various rooms.
A few hours later, he exhales heavily, having finished the distribution of luggage to their appropriate rooms in the house with an exemption to the ones that should go in Angel's room.
Disturbed by the fact that neither his wife nor his daughter have come out from the former's room, he walks up the stairs in order to plead with them.
"Ladies," Mr. Terry Burberry says as he knocks on the shut door to Angel's room. "Aren't you guys coming out today anymore. It's almost time for dinner and you both know I don't like eating alone....Please come on out."
"I really do not want to talk to you right now," Angel Burberry says, still very infuriated by her father's action towards their comely neighbour whose only offence was trying to assist them in settling into their new apartment by helping them unpack.
"Come on, darling," Benita Burberry wades in. "You know he only means well for you right?"
"Mum, are you here to sympathize with me or you are here to plead your husband's case?" Angel Burberry retorts, questioning her mother's loyalty to her concerns. "Because if you are here to plead his case then I am sorry but I will have to ask you to leave."
"It's okay, baby girl," Benita Burberry says as she gently pulls Angel Burberry in to lay her head on her chest. "I'm always here for you."
. "Just tell me why he is doing this?" Angel Burberry breaks down in tears. "Because it doesn't make sense to me. How can he be so..."
"It's okay, my dear," Benita Burberry says, cutting Angel off lest she should, in the fit of rage she is now, utter words she would later beat herself up for saying.
Hearing this, Mr. Terry Burberry slowly backs away from the door, disappointed in himself. He makes his way to his room and slams the door. Until the next day, he would neither see them nor would they see him. They would all remain in their rooms, away from themselves.
The day tarries in arrival like the angel sent to Daniel, leaving Mr. Terry Burberry tossing and turning in his bed like a crocodile rolling its prey. Well he is, talking about, trying to perform a death roll on the unhappiness he feels, having made the two women in his life mad at him.
"But she should know I want the best for her," Terry Burberry thinks to himself. "I mean, what kind of father would I be if I let my kid run amok under my nose? An irresponsible father, that's what."
Feeling yet unapologetic for his actions towards his wife and daughter, he fluffs the two pillows under his head and places his head back on them. Resolving to call it a night, despite the restless feeling in his heart, he shuts his eyes to get some rest but all efforts to get sleep to take him proves abortive. Considering the option of going to the sitting room to watch something, anything showing on the TV pending when the sleep or the sun's rising comes, he is reminded of the fact that the ladies in the house with him, namely his daughter and his wife, would probably be asleep and would not be happy with any such disturbance especially with the Gabriel issue.
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Realizing this, he quickly tucks himself back into the bed and quietly waits the remaining hours of the night out listening to the loud silence of the cold night. The night sees wide-eyed Terry Burberry longing for its tenure to be over, that it may give way to the brand new day.
He sits up on the bed with folded arms watching through the window as the moon exerts its rule on the earth, for what little time it has over the earth. In that sort of situation, one would imagine that the fellow undergoing such an exercise would fall asleep eventually but not so with Terry Burberry as he supervises the moon's night shft and its hand-over to the fiery orange morning sun.
Ushering him and his household officially, into their first day as occupants of the new house in the new estate they just moved in, is a knock on the door leaving him astounded as regards the reason why a fellow with all working faculties would leave the comfort of their home to come to his by 6:02am in the morning.
"What have I done to myself?" he soliloquizes after jerking up from where he is seated on the bed, lamenting the reason why anyone would pay another a visit by such an early hour. "How can you go visit someone in his house this early in the day? Is this how they act in this neighborhood?"
Looking through the peephole to confirm the identity of the early morning caller, he is surprised to see it is Gabriel in the company of two other individuals who are yet unknown. Opening the door on the cognizance of Gabriel, he makes no utterance but with the aid of his facial expression demands that Gabriel states his reason for being at his doorstep so early in the day.
"Good morning sir," Gabriel says to which Terry Burberry gives an acknowledging nod. "Please I am very sorry for yesterday. Do you mind if we come in so we can talk it out?"
"Come in," Terry Burberry gives permission to the request, stepping aside that Gabriel and the other two may walk their way into the house and be directed to the sitting room. Then he points them to the sitting room. "Please make yourselves comfortable. What can I offer you?"
"Thank you so much Mr. Burberry," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph says in appreciation of the welcome Mr. Burberry has extended towards them.
"Thank you very much," Mr. Fernando Rudolph says extending a handshake towards his host, a gesture very warmly accepted. "It's nice to meet you."
"What can I offer you all please?" Terry Burberry inquires.."Juice?, Wine?"
"Oh we are okay. Thank you very much," Mr. Fernando Rudolph replies for the family. "Maybe some other time."
"Alright," Terry Burberry says with a smile of relief as he just realized he was yet to set up the bar with the drinks which are tucked in somewhere in one of the remaining boxes stacked neatly in the dining area.
"We are here because our son told us of an episode that had happened here yesterday," Mr. Fernando Rudolph begins. "We have come to apologize on his behalf and officially introduce ourselves. We live just two buildings away from yours and honestly hope we can have a good relationship of peacefully coexisting in this estate as goodly neighbours in spite of this episode please."
"Oh that's okay," Terry Burberry says, assuring an acceptance of the apology tendered by Mr and Mrs Rudolph. "It was just a minor issue. I assure you it would not ruin.the fostering of a very wonderful relationship between both families. Yesterday I was rather edgy because of the stress brought on by the movement. The stress just seemed to get to my head and I poured it out on everyone around me..As it stands now, my wife and my daughter have placed me on ice since yesterday till further notice...."
"....Oh dear," Mrs Rudolph sympathizes. "Quite sorry about that."
"That's alright," Terry Burberry continues. "I just hope the news that both families are now friends can make up for it...."
"...Can I talk to her?" Gabriel Rudolph suggests. "Angel, I mean. Maybe I could get her to ceasefire."
"Well, I don't see why not," Terry Burberry replies. "I mean you are the reason for the icing in the first place. Hopefully once she hears your voice, she'll realize I have buried the hatchet and she would come out and I can equally make up with my wife."
"Thank you very much sir," Gabriel Rudolph bows in appreciation. "May I take the other boxes...?"
"...if you insist," Terry Burberry permits. "Please suit yourself."
"Thank you very much," Gabriel Rudolph says with an excitement that leaves Terry Burberry dumbfounded while the Rudolph couple look on with a smile, knowing exactly how much Gabriel loves to help.
Gabriel, lifting two items from the remaining luggage, struggles up the stairs to Angel's room.
"Bellhop, ma'am," Gabriel Rudolph says as he arrives the door to Angel's room and gives it two knocks.
"What did he say?" Mrs Benita Burberry says with an astonished look on her face. "Don't tell me your father went to hire a bellhop. What's he thinking? Does he think that would suddenly make everything right?"
"You tell me," says Angel Burberry. "He is your husband. You have known him longer than I have..."
"....yet somehow, he never ceases to amaze me," Benita Burberry mentions with a loving smile. "Anyways, go open the door for the fellow so he can bring the things in while we continue our stand against your father's character of judging people without getting to know them."
"Okay mum,"
Angel Burberry pulls herself out of bed and walks to the door to open it up that the bellhop or bellhops as the case may be would bring the luggage in. Upon opening the door, her mouth drops in dumbfounding astonishment at whom she sees standing at the other side of the door.
"Hi Angel," Gabriel says as he places the boxes on the floor and extends his hand for a friendly handshake beaming with a very bright smile. "May I come in with the luggage?"
She ignores his stretched-out arm and goes in for a very tight hug instead, almost breaking the arm.
"Wow," Angel whispers while hugging him tightly. "I'm very happy to have you back."
"Angel," Mrs Benita Burberry calls out wondering who she might be talking to with so much excitement, considering the fact that her father had banned her new friend, Gabriel from the house. "Who is it?"
"You would not believe if I told you," Angel replies while still facing Gabriel. "It's Gabriel."
"Gabriel?"
"Yes ma," Gabriel says as he lifts the boxes and walks into the room. "Good morning ma."
"Good morning dear," Mrs Benita Burberry says with a wide smile as she gets out of the bed. "How are you today? How are your parents?"
"Very well, ma'am," Gabriel replies with so much cheer. "My parents are fine, ma'am. As a matter of fact, they are in the sitting room with Mr. Burberry."
"You don't say," says the astonished Mrs Benita Burberry as she lifts herself out of the bed to go meet The Rudolphs. "Oh my goodness, I hope they don't think of me as rude."
"You have nothing to worry about, ma," Gabriel says assuringly. "Mr. Burberry has already explained to them but even so, my parents are not the type that are so big on that kind of thing. They would not really take it to heart."
"I hope not," Mrs Benita Burberry says with a smile as she puts on her footwear, a Jimmy Choo slipper, walks into the hallway and makes her way down the stairs one step at a time.
"Oh, here she comes," says Terry Burberry immediately he spots her feet on the stairs, waiting for her to finish her descent so that he can do her an introduction to the Rudolph couple who immediately rise to their feet upon hearing hers on the stairs. "Here is the delectable Mrs Benita Burberry."
"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you ma'am," Fernando Rudolph says, extending his hand towards Benita for a handshake as soon as her second leg touches the ground in completion of her descent from the stairs. "I'm Mr. Fernando Rudolph and this is my lovely wife...."
"...Cassandra Rudolph," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph says giving Benita Burberry a hug. "Nice to meet you. You are very pretty I must say."
"Thank you very much," Mrs Benita Burberry says. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." While they are talking, Angel and Gabriel are heard coming downstairs giggling so happily, one would think they were coming from a comedy show to the astonishment of the rest of both families.
"I see both of you are really getting along well," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph says as the young duo, Angel and Gabriel touch down unto the base of the stairway.
"Yes mum," Gabriel Rudolph replies to his mother's observation with so much zest, one would imagine there is a part to the whole thing he withholds. "She is a very wonderful friend. I honestly wish we'd all moved here earlier."
"Hmm," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph briefly hums, giving Gabriel a suspicious look before turning to address the Burberry couple. "So what's the story behind your movement to this neighborhood? Occupational or you just wanted to move?"
"Yeah do tell," Mr. Fernando Rudolph says, in a bid to egg the Burberrys on to tell them the story behind their movement into the neighborhood. "We, for instance, left our former location because well the neighborhood was getting too comfortable. We had been there for quite a long time, it was beginning to look like we were built into the ground like the house. Many sets of neighbours came and left but we remained until we gave it a thought, and discovered the need to change our surroundings. Your turn?"
Terry Burberry briefly glances at Benita Burberry, asking with his eyes if she was interested in doing the honours or he could go ahead and tell them. Giving an approval with a nodding of her head to the left briefly, Terry Burberry takes the floor. "Well, it was sort of an occupational move. We were formerly residing in Sussex but decided to move to Birmingham, knowing this place to be the industrial hub of England, it would hold more juicy opportunities for the family than Sussex."
"Interesting," Mr. Fernando Rudolph begins. "But you know how the saying goes yeah, ' a bird in hand is better than ten thousand in the bushes' and I mean no hostility with this question but how sure are you that the jobs and opportunities here are far better than those in Sussex. I, for one, only came here for expansion of my..."
"...Well," Terry Burberry begins. "We both already made sure we got great paying jobs before we made the move here."
"Oh, right," Mr. Fernando Rudolph says as he backs down. He could sense Terry Burberry might have suspected a little judgementalism from the tone of his voice at the beginning.
The discussion continues between the two families making them, out of the strangers they were, into friends. Both families have a filled day in the company of each other, they both find that they lose track of time.
"Oh wow, have we been going on for that long?" Mr. Fernando Rudolph exclaims when his eyes unconsciously takes a glance at his wristwatch. "It's already 8pm?"
"Well, I must say it was an honour hosting you sir," Terry Burberry says as he rises up to shake the hands of Mr. Fernando Rudolph who is already on his feet.
"Indeed, it was," Mr. Fernando Rudolph says as he accepts the handshake from Mr. Terry Burberry. "Thank you so much for having us."
"Always a pleasure,"
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The Rudolphs take their leave after Mrs Benita Burberry and Mrs Cassandra Rudolph share a hug and Gabriel and Angel bid themselves goodbye with a lingering handshake that seemed as though their hands had been glued together as they smiled warmly at each other. But for Mr. Rudolph's question, he probably would not have disengaged.
"Aren't you coming with us Gabriel?" Mr. Fernando Rudolph calls out having just stepped out of the Burberry home but yet seeing his son, standing stupefied, Angel's hand in his.
"I'm coming sir," Gabriel Rudolph says as he lets go of Angel's hand, briefly reminding Mr. Terry Burberry of when they were both upstairs alone causing Mr. Terry Burberry to shake his head and smile as he watches Gabriel join his parents outside.
"Goodnight," Mr. & Mrs Burberry say in a unison that astonishes Gabriel so much, he smiles so brightly with his eyes looking past them to catch the image of Angel who is standing behind them. She gives him a wave, bidding him a voiceless goodnight as her lips move to pronounce the words but make no sound before Mr. Burberry shuts the door.
The friendship built that night between both families blossoms so well like waterlilies as both families gradually begin to grow on each other over the years.
"I love you so much," Gabriel blurts out, on one of the many visits they pay at each other's residence regularly in the spirit of friendship, confounding Angel.
"Sorry?" Angel says imagining she had not heard him clearly.
"I said I love you so much," he reiterates and then pauses a while waiting to hear the same words come from Angel's lips. "Well, wouldn't you say it back?"
"Get out," Angel says calmly.
"Excuse me?" says confused Gabriel who hopes to God he has not heard clearly what she had just said.
"You heard me," Angel replies, this time with a little more hostility in her voice. "I said get out now."
"What's going on right now?" Gabriel asks, trying to wrap his head around her change of countenance. "I really thought you'd say it back, y'know feel the same way I do."
"Do not let me push you out," Angel warns as she rises out of her chair to give the instruction once more, refusing to hear whatever Gabriel is saying. "Get out...now"
"Angel?"
Seeing he is adamant to leave, she grabs him by his shirt and pulls him off the chair where he is seated, pushing him to the ground in a manner so inhospitable. "Get out now. I would not repeat myself."
Picking himself up from the ground, he straightens up and without as much as a word to Angel, he leaves her room disappointed, wishing he'd never brought it up in the first place.
Walking out of the house through the living room where Angel's parents are seated watching a show in each other's company, Gabriel stops in his track to look at them,
"So I would not have something as beautiful as this in my life?" he thinks to himself as he stares at them for a minute before walking out of the door, with cloudy eyes, under the weight of the pain he feels.
Confused as regards the reason for Gabriel's strange behaviour, both parents quickly walk upstairs to find out what the matter is.
"Angel," Mr. Terry Burberry says as he knocks when he and his wife, Mrs Benita Burberry arrive the door to Angel's room.
"Come in," Angel responds in a faint voice of one in tears.
"Honey," Mrs Benita Burberry begins as they walk into the room bent on getting to the bottom of the matter that caused Gabriel's unusual countenance. "Gabriel just left the house now and he didn't look his usual jovial self. Is anything the matter?"
Angel simply ignores the question while burying her head in the pillow. This troubles both her parents but vexes Mr. Terry Burberry the most.
"Angel," Mr. Terry Burberry yells. "Are you not the one your mother is asking a question?"
Raising her head from the pillow on which it is lain, Angel reveals her teary eyes to the astonishment of both parents.
"Oh dear," Mrs Benita Burberry says as she rushes over to sit beside Angel on the bed while Mr. Terry Burberry walks to the dresser to pull out the stool under it to sit and listen to whatever revelation Angel is about to make concerning the tears in her eyes. "What's wrong, Angel? You know you can talk to us."
"Gabriel..." Angel begins sobbingly.
"What?" Mr. Terry Burberry cuts her in an enraged tone. "Did he touch you? I told you that boy was no good. Didn't I?"
"No, Dad", Angel continues. "He didn't touch me."
"Then tell us," Mrs Benita Burberry presses softly for a little more information on the reason for Gabriel's and her countenance while giving Mr. Terry Burberry a look that queried the reason why he still had that impression of Gabriel. "What's the matter then?"
"He said...," she begins in a stutter. "He said he loves me."
"I knew it," Mr. Terry Burberry yells again excited at how right he believes he is but enraged at the reason he believes he is right. "I told you that boy was up to no good. It is clear he only told her that so he can get in between her legs. Now, listen to me, Angel. If I ever see that boy here again, there will be consequences...very grave consequences."
"Sweetheart," Mrs Benita Burberry says to her husband, Mr. Terry Burberry. "Please can you excuse us so we can talk?"
"Are you being serious?" Mr. Terry Burberry asks defensively as he rises up to leave. "I mean you also know he is not good for her."
"Yeah, yeah," Mrs Benita Burberry replies. "We know. Can you just leave?"
"Okay," he says reluctantly while mumbling inaudibly as he walks out the door and shuts it behind himself.
"Angel," Mrs Benita Burberry begins as she turns to address Angel having dismissed her father, her husband. "Now, you said Gabriel told you he loves you, yes?"
"Yes, mum."
"Okay," Mrs Benita Burberry continues. "That's not a problem. You just need to tell him that the timing is not right. I'm sure if he really loves you, he will respect your decision."
"You really think so?"
"Indeed," replies Mrs Benita Burberry. "I'm sure that's what your father was trying to say."
"Alright mum," Angel Burberry says with a smile. "I will invite him over later today to tell him just that."
"That's my girl," Mrs Benita Burberry says, giving Angel a hug and a kiss on the forehead then rising up from the bed. "Now, you will excuse me, I have to go meet up with your dad."
"Oh, by all means," Angel Burberry replies with a smile. "Please go be with him."
Benita Burberry walks out of the room to meet her husband who she'd sent out earlier, in order that she might explain to him her point of view on the offchance that he had meant all he said before she asked him to leave, leaving Angel Burberry to ruminate on their discussion and make a decision for herself on the issue at hand.
Immediately her mother leaves, Angel takes her phone in her hand to give Gabriel a call to let him in on the decision she has made.
"Hi Gabriel," she says cheerfully as soon as Gabriel answers the phone call but his response seems one so cold and unfeeling.
"Yes," says Gabriel.
"C'mon Gabriel," Angel says sensing he is yet very infuriated by her decision and moves to make him see reason. "I know you said you love me but don't you think we would need to get somethings together before we talk about something like that, I mean we are both in our penultimate year in the university. What's waiting a little more going to do to either of us?"
"Indeed. Can I go now?" he replies quite coldly and without giving Angel an opportunity for another word, he ends the call.
Angel, realizing from the way he had ended the call that Gabriel might not be happy with the decision, decides to call him up again for a do over but he does not pick up on the first two attempts and on the third, the operator states to Angel that she is not permitted to call the number.
"Why is he acting like this?" Angel soliloquizes. "Could Dad have been right all along?"
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Keeping the outcome of the discussion away from both the Burberry and the Rudolph parents, Angel and Gabriel decide to nurse their wounds alone. Whenever either of them was asked of the other, the one asked would say something to throw the questioner off the scent. Statements like "Oh, he/she is fine", "Oh, we just want to take a little break from each other, y'know too much of everything can make one sick".
The lies go on at both ends for three months on end until a feeling prompts Mrs Burberry to wade in. Inviting Gabriel over with a phone call she makes herself, she sits with both of them for a discussion.
"Angel," Mrs Benita Burberry begins, taking a sit at the dining table to have Angel and Gabriel addressed in what looks like a roundtable between the three of them. "Now, I know you must be wondering what the reason for this meeting is."
"Honestly mum," Angel Burberry replies. "I must say I was shocked when you came home from work, which I must also admit was quite early, and showed up in my room to tell me you would love to have a talk with me."
"That's okay," Mrs Benita Burberry says to Angela before she turns to address Gabriel as well. "Gabriel, I am sure you must be quite as surprised or even more surprised than she is."
"Yes ma'am."
"Well," Mrs Benita Burberry moves to clear the air on the reason behind the meeting. "I have invited you both here because , of late, I have noticed a strange behaviour between the two of you. I mean Gabriel you no longer visit and Angel, you no longer go over to his place. If I didn't know better, I would have said you both had very physical altercation involving punches and other action guaranteed to assure bodily harm..."
"...on the contrary, mum," Angel posits. "There was no such thing."
"Gabriel?" Mrs Benita Burberry calls as she turns in Gabriel's direction to hear his response.
"No, ma."
"What then?" Mrs Benita Burberry inquires. "What then is the reason that no one has seen either of you in each other's company for over three months now?"
"Mum," Angel begins. "There is no issue between either of us. You need to calm down."
"Stop that," Mrs Benita Burberry screams at Angel, banging her hand on the table to the consternation of Angel and Gabriel. "I was not born yesterday so one of you better tell me what the hell is going on between you both."
"Okay," yells Angel angrily. "You want to know why we are not seen in each other's company so much anymore. This young man called Gabriel here told me 'he loves me' and we all know what he means by that. He is looking for an opportunity to lay me so I told him to wait a few years but he would not have it and decided to cut me off which clearly proves one thing, he has just been here all these while so i could feel comfortable enough to let him climb me after which he would be in the wind."
"Is that true, Gabriel?" Mrs Benita Burberry asks with a shocked look on her face. "Please do not tell me it is."
"It is true but..." Gabriel begins but is cut off by Mrs Benita Burberry who cannot hide the disappointment she feels.
"Gabriel!!!" Mrs Benita Burberry yells in disappointment. "You?"
"Ma, It's not like that."
"Please get out of my house," Mrs Benita Burberry says calmly.
"Ma, please," Gabriel pleads. "I'm sorry."
"Now," Mrs Benita Burberry yells with so much fury in her voice. "Before I do something everyone in both families would regret."
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Unwilling to see how much further her fury can go, Gabriel walks out of the house, gravely embarrassed and disappointed in himself. For a full year, neither the Burberrys nor the Rudolph speak a word to each other, both avoiding themselves like a plague.
A year and six months later, a hatchet-burial is sought by Mrs Rudolph who, summoning up some courage, walks up to the door of the Burberry residence to ring the bell.
"Hold on," Mrs Benita Burberry says as soon as she hears the doorbell ring. "I will be right there."
"Hello, Mrs Burberry," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph says as soon as Mrs Burberry opens up the door.
"Oh my goodness," Mrs Benita Burberry says with an irate look on her face and very irked tone. "You know you have quite some audacity showing your face here again after what your son tried to do to my daughter."
"Please can we talk?" Mrs Cassandra Rudolph pleads for audience.
Mrs Benita Burberry, eager to know what exactly the mother of the one who tried to besmirch her daughter would want to talk about, steps aside to allow Mrs Cassandra Rudolph walk into the house.
"Wow," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph begins as she walks into the house admiring it. "It's been a while since I have been here."
"Is that what you came here to discuss?" Mrs Benita Burberry asks with a touch of contempt in her voice as she follows behind Mrs Cassandra Rudolph.
"C'mon Benny," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph begins. "There is no reason we should be acting this way towards each other. Fine, our children made some mistakes...."
"No," Mrs Benita Burberry counters. "Your son tried to mess up my daughter."
"Oh come off it, Benny," says Mrs Cassandra Rudolph. "We are not talking about ten year old boys and girls. We are talking about people in their late 20s here."
"What?"
"C'mon," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph begins. "My son told me he only told your daughter he loves her. If you ask me I do not see how that is a problem. He didn't make any sexual move on her for God's sake so I don't understand what the fuss is about."
"How do you know that is not his intention?" Mrs Benita Burberry yells.
"I probed further and he told me he had no intention of doing anything sexual with or to Angel," Mrs Cassandra Rudolph tenders in defence of her son. "And before you ask how do I know he is not lying. I know my son would not lie to me."
"Okay," says Mrs Benita Burberry. "I have heard you. Can you please leave my house now."
"Really?" says Mrs Cassandra Rudolph, shocked at the response she just received from Mrs Benita Burberry.
"Don't make me push you out please," Mrs Benita Burberry says as she moves towards Mrs Cassandra Rudolph who begins to move towards the door upon seeing how seriously Mrs Benita Burberry approaches her. "And tell that son of yours that if I ever see him anywhere around my daughter, he will have me to contend with."
After sending off Mrs Cassandra Rudolph, Mrs Benita Burberry heads for her daughter, Angel Burberry's room to speak with her on what has just transpired.
"Angel," Mrs Benita Burberry calls out while knocking on the door to Angel's room. "Can I come in?"
"Come in, mum," comes Angel's voice from the other side of the door.
"From this moment on," Mrs Benita Burberry begins as soon as she opens the door. "I don't want to see or hear that name Rudolph in this house again. I think your dad must have seen way into the future when he said this exact same words and I told him he was exaggerating the issue but now I'm with him on this. I don't want to see either Gabriel or any of his parents anywhere near this premises."
"But...,"
"No buts please." Mrs Benita Burberry appeals sternly as she walks out of the room leaving Angel Burberry to her thoughts.
Angel Burberry, picking up her phone as soon as her mother leaves the room, quickly puts a call through to Gabriel Rudolph.
"Gabriel," Angel Burberry begins immediately Gabriel Rudolph answers the call.
"What do you want, Angel?" Gabriel Rudolph answers with coldness in his voice. "Have you not humiliated me enough?"
"C'mon Gabriel," Angel Burberry says. "Please don't talk like that?"
"What-do-you-want-Angel?" Gabriel Rudolph repeats slowly, evidently pissed off.
"I think your parents and mine have become involved in this row between us both."
"So what has that got to do with me?"
"Don't you see, Gabriel?" Angel Burberry asks. "We were once close and the rest of our family was brought together by the friendship we shared. Now, we have drifted apart and both families have become so hostile to each other."
"What are you saying?" Gabriel Rudolph asks interestedly.
"Let's get back together," Angel Burberry demands. "I have a feeling it will restore things back to how it was back then or even better than it was."
"You know I'm crazy about you," Gabriel Rudolph admits. "Anything that will have two of us together again, I am on board. What's the plan?"
"There is no plan, Gabriel," Angel Burberry says. "I mean you still love me, don't you or were my parents right to think you were only interested in sex with me?"
"Of course, I still love you," Gabriel Rudolph replies enthused. "Haven't stopped. Never will stop."
"Fine," Angel Burberry says. "That's all we need. We just need to show how much we love each other. Once they see it, they would surely bury whatever hatchet they hold."
"Hmm," Gabriel Rudolph replies as he imagines the level of joy he would have in his heart if or when the plan succeeds.
Upon the arrival of the next day, both parents are invited by Angel and Gabriel for a luncheon at the Rudolph's residence to give them all, the surprise news of the love shared between them. The parents of the Rudolphs and the Burberrys ,who earlier walked into the venue of the meeting with vexation at each other prior to the news ,hug each other out with smiles and cheerfulness charging themselves towards the proper planning of a wedding ceremony befitting for a love like the one shared by hearts as pure as Angel's and Gabriel's.
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